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CVE Record

CVE-2026-23559: Multiple RBAC issues in XAPI

[This CNA information record relates to multiple CVEs; the text explains which aspects/vulnerabilities correspond to which CVE.] XAPI can configure different users with different roles, using Role Based Access Control. For more details, see: https://docs.xenserver.com/en-us/xencenter/current-release/rbac-overview.html#rbac-roles The pool-admin role is fully privileged. Notably, users with this role can also SSH into the host as root. The other administrator roles are pool-operator, vm-power-admin and vm-admin, each of which are authorised to configure and manage various aspects of the system. Some settings are inadequately restricted, and can be set by a lower privilege of administrator than expected. * CVE-2026-23559: A vm-admin can set VBD.other_config:backend-local and turn arbitrary files in dom0 into VDIs (virtual disks) and give said disks to a VM they control. This is an arbitrary read and/or modify of files in dom0. * CVE-2026-23560: A vm-admin can set VM.other-config:is_system_domain and mark a VM as a system domain. System domains are ignored and left running during certain other host/pool operations, and may be hidden from view in tooling. * CVE-2026-23561: A vm-admin can set VM.other_config:storage_driver_domain and mark a VM as the storage domain for a particular host storage connection (PBD). Shutting down the VM can cause the PBD to be erroneously marked as unplugged when it is not. * CVE-2026-23562: Configuration of PCI passthrough is normally restricted to the pool-admin role. However one API was missing this check, allowing a vm-admin access to unintended host hardware. * CVE-2026-42486: A vm-admin can set the VM.platform:hvm_serial parameter, which should be restricted to the pool-admin role, as it can allow arbitrary dom0 file write.

CriticalCVSS 9.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2026-23559 is an XAPI RBAC flaw where a VM administrator can reach beyond their intended role and access dom0 host files through virtual disk configuration. This can expose or alter sensitive host files, turning a delegated VM-management role into a serious host integrity risk.

Executive priority

Treat as urgent for virtualized infrastructure with delegated administration. Prioritize environments where non-root teams, tenants, or automation hold vm-admin privileges, because the flaw can expose or alter host-side dom0 files.

Technical view

In Xen XAPI, vm-admin can set VBD.other_config:backend-local and make arbitrary dom0 files appear as VDIs for a VM they control. The source describes arbitrary read and/or modification of dom0 files. CVSS v4.0 is 9.4 critical, with local attack vector.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely in Xen/XAPI environments that delegate vm-admin privileges to users, automation, or service accounts. The source bundle lists Xen XAPI as affected across all versions, but does not provide detailed fixed-version boundaries.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show KEV listing or active exploitation evidence. The described abuse requires a vm-admin-capable actor and affects dom0 file confidentiality and integrity, which can materially weaken host and pool security.

Researcher notes

The CNA record groups several XAPI RBAC issues; this analysis addresses only CVE-2026-23559. The source does not include exploit code, observed exploitation, or fixed versions. Validate against XSA-489 before asserting patch state.

Mitigation direction

  • Review Xen XSA-489 and apply any vendor-provided fixes or updates.
  • Restrict vm-admin assignments to trusted administrators only.
  • Remove unused or overly broad XAPI RBAC accounts.
  • Audit automation tokens with vm-admin privileges.
  • Monitor for suspicious VBD.other_config changes.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Xen/XAPI hosts and pools using RBAC.
  • List users and service accounts with vm-admin role.
  • Review VBD.other_config for backend-local entries.
  • Check VM disks for unexpected dom0-backed mappings.
  • Confirm remediation status against Xen XSA-489 guidance.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2026-23559 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.4 (4.0)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
2Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
9.4CVSS 4.0CriticalCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:HXEN

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 4.0 score

9.4Critical
CVSS 4.0 vector shape for CVE-2026-23559Attack VectorAttack ComplexityAttack RequirementsPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionVS ConfidentialityVS IntegrityVS AvailabilitySS ConfidentialitySS IntegritySS Availability

Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Attack Requirements
NonePresent
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NonePassiveActive
VS Confidentiality
HighLowNone
VS Integrity
HighLowNone
VS Availability
HighLowNone
SS Confidentiality
HighLowNone
SS Integrity
HighLowNone
SS Availability
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
XenXAPIallunaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-250 · source CWE mapping

Execution with Unnecessary Privileges

Execution with Unnecessary Privileges represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.